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Can Mac Mini run 2 Thunderbolt displays and a TV?

B

bryceds

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 18, 2012
10
0
I am looking into a new mac mini and am wondering if it can run 2 thunderbolt displays with a TV through the HDMI at the same time. I know the graphics card isn't super powerful... Anyone have experience with this?
 
Have the 2012 MM on order. Trying to figure out what it can do.

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paulrbeers said:
If by "no other" you mean no other 2011, because all the 2012's can as well.
Click to expand...

Have you confirmed that 3 screens can be run on the 2012?
 
Last edited:
bryceds said:
Have the 2012 MM on order. Trying to figure out what it can do.


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Have you confirmed that 3 screens can be run on the 2012?
Click to expand...

Yes the HD4000 graphics can power 3 displays. With that said there are some problems with the hdmi port on the 2012 that is being rectified by intel/apple.
 
I think this may be a $1300 solution:

http://www.sonnettech.com/product/xmacminiserver.html

http://www.sonnettech.com/product/xmacminiserver.html?tab=3

website said:
Key Features

Adds Connectivity and Capabilities to Mac mini—Connects one PCIe 2.0 x16 (x4 mode) slot and one PCIe 2.0 x8 (x4 mode) slot via Thunderbolt technology to the Mac mini, supports high performance expansion cards

Server Room Ready—1U rackmount enclosure with user-replaceable power supply and fans, built-in cable management featuress

Diverse PCIe Card Support—Supports Fibre Channel, 10 Gigabit Ethernet, pro video capture and playout, SAS/SATA RAID controllers, pro audio, and other PCIe cards

Supports Thunderbolt Expansion—Enables daisy chain connection of additional Thunderbolt technology devices through second Thunderbolt port

Front Panel Operation—Front panel power button activates power switch on Mac mini; USB 3.0 port enables connection of keyboard, mouse, thumb drive, etc.

Rear Panel Connectivity—Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0, and HDMI ports are mounted at the rear of the chassis for easy connectivity

Energy Efficient—Variable speed fans adjust to the unique needs of each configuration, and the auto power on/off feature insures there is no energy wasted with cards powered on when the system is off
Click to expand...

Rocketman
 
The Mini can certainly run two displays, but I'm not sure about three.
According to Everymac, it supports dual displays only:

This model simultaneously supports 1920x1200 on an HDMI or a DVI display (using the included HDMI-to-DVI adapter) and 2560x1600 on a Thunderbolt or Mini DisplayPort display or even a VGA display (with an optional Mini DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter, which is compatible with the Thunderbolt port).

I have two monitors, and it works fine (with none of the reported issues). But three might be pushing it.
 
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